Jeremy Clarkson reveals clever new business move for Diddly Squat farm – and reckons it could make him a fortune
TV’s Jeremy Clarkson has found a splice little earner for his farm — he is going to sell wood from its trees to make cricket bats.
The Sun columnist, 64, has discovered the 1,000-acre Diddly Squat farm is perfect for growing the type of willow used.
And each bat willow tree can sell for hundreds of pounds.
Clarkson admitted he “actively hated” cricket at school.
But he declared: “I’ve worked out how I can get my own back on these people. I’m going to take all of their money.”
After being told his Oxfordshire farm had perfect bat willow specimens, he has been working on growing them in one field for 18 months.
Writing in The Sunday Times, he says he hopes to tap into markets in India, Pakistan and the US.
He said: “So stand by, cricketists. I’m going to hurt you, but not like you hurt me (at school).
“I’m going to hurt you in your wallets.
“I’m going to become the cricket bat king of Chipping Norton and I’m going to bash your credit cards until they look like Steve Martin’s in Planes, Trains and Automobiles.
“I’ve even done a business plan. Demand is huge in India and Pakistan, where cricket has always been popular.”
“Some use bats made from Kashmir willow, but most prefer the English variety because it’s lighter.”